036 | Abortion Access is Changing in America: What to Know

036 | Gigi Vera Vincent, Postpartum Doula

Gigi Vera Vincent is a postpartum doula, newborn care specialist, lactation educator, mother to three toddlers, including twins, and a wife to my high school sweetheart.

She empowers families, so once baby arrives, they can focus on resting and bonding instead of researching or stressing. She's here to streamline the newborn learning curve and guide birth parents, partners, and other family members. There isn’t ONE way to have and raise a little human. Gigi is here to assist parents as they find THEIR way so that they can thrive in the fourth trimester and beyond.

What is the Dobbs Decision?

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, is a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the court held that the Constitution of the United States does not grant a right to abortion. This 2022 decision overturned the 1973 ruling of Roe v. Wade, which granted the right to have an abortion.

The ruling has the potential to undermine so many other cases that protect our right to privacy. Cases pertaining to gay rights, interracial marriage, access to birth control, LGBTQ rights etc. all have the potential to be threatened.

The Facts about Abortion

1/4 women will have an abortion by 45 years old. The majority are between the ages of 20-29, but there is a substantial percentage that are older, most are married and either already have one or multiple children.

92% are happening in the 1st trimester. The 7% happening later, are usually due to medical issue, spontaneous abortion, risk to baby or mother or a nonviable pregnancy, meaning the chance of the pregnancy resulting in a healthy, living baby is not possible. Ectopic pregnancies and failed intrauterine pregnancies are nonviable.

Who does the Dobbs Decision effect?

A lot of people feel that this will only really target those who want an abortion. But as new laws and restrictions on abortion are beginning to arise state-by-state, we are quickly discovering that is far from the truth.

There have already been cases where women have been incarcerated for having a miscarriage. Some states are trying to limit access to birth control. Browsing history, through apps and social media, have shared data with authorities from users who have search history or social posts pertaining to seeking abortion.

This is just the beginning, as we still don't know how this will effect medical emergencies due to miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, or couples seeking fertility treatments like IVF.

"The goal is not to protect life. The goal is to maintain control."

 

Tips to Prepare & Support

Stocking up on birth control and getting access to abortion pills, if your state allows, is a great way to be prepared for the worst. If your state is restricted, look into other state access. Browsing privacy is important, so researching how you can use the internet safely, as well as any apps pertaining to cycle tracking is another way to make sure your data is safe.

Learn from other communities and organizations that give information on how to respond to discrimination is essential. Look at the corporations and businesses where you spend your money. Do these places have the same values as you? Do they support causes you support? Where we choose to spend your money really has a big impact.

We are fighting each other for our own decisions and our own bodies. We should be fighting for policies that support our decisions, the freedom to live the life that we want.

Topics covered

Who is actually having abortions? (1:46)
What are your options with limited care states? (5:46)
Why data is so important in some states (8:59)
Access to standardized care that women actually need (14:07)
Support after an abortion (20:07)
The Dobbs decision (23:45)
Expanding your knowledge (29:16)
It's important to be prepared (35:00)
Battle between people who are choosing to break the mold (41:26)

Resources

1. Living in a Post-Roe World: What You Can Do
2. Study: 84% of Maternal Deaths are Preventable

Birth control access resources:

1. Planned Parenthood: Birth control prescribed over the phone
2. Nurx: Birth control online with free shipping

Abortion resources:

1. HeyJane: FDA-Approved Abortion Pills Shipped Discreetly
2. FAQ: At-Home Abortion Care